Weird lump and walking funny!!

[Sassy123]

So my bearded dragon, Mushu, has recently been what I presumed to be brumating. I had posted a thread asking about that, but this is a little bit different. Now he really won't eat (he hasn't lost weight yet), but two things that are really strange and concerning me. He wobbles when he walks, like he's really unsteady, and he has a large lump that is on his back, almost exactly between his back legs. It's really hard, and is about as large as the tip of your forefinger. I took a video of him walking, and also tried to show the lump (it barely shows on video though), and I will include the link to that video. (but just to be clear, in the video, I had a very hard time getting him to walk, he just kept on flopping down, and when he does walk, he didn't wobble as much :roll: , before he was wobbling more.) Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2TaoFoFtJo
This is his full setup:

This is his hot spot/basking spot:

And this is what he did when I put him back (he didn't move at all):

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, you have a beautiful set up but something is going wrong. He does have MBD and is far too small to brumate, so please list the exact type + brand of bulbs you're using [ I asked in your other thread as well ] Poor guy, lets see if we can get him some help.

 

[Sassy123]

He has a T8 Reptisun Uvb bulb (the long tube type not a coil bulb), its in the tank, not above the screen. His heat bulb is a 150 watt, I'm pretty sure the brand was Exo Terra, it's not one of those "sun-glow" bulbs... My poor baby.... is there anything I can do for him?

 

[kingofnobbys]

He has a T8 Reptisun Uvb bulb (the long tube type not a coil bulb), its in the tank, not above the screen. His heat bulb is a 150 watt, I'm pretty sure the brand was Exo Terra, it's not one of those "sun-glow" bulbs... My poor baby.... is there anything I can do for him?

The T8 Reptisun UVB is too far away to be helpful to him, even if it's brand new and a 10% UVB.

You need to either move his T8 and the reflector hood MUCH CLOSER to his basking spot (needs to be not more than 6 inches from it . See viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611 , aiming for 180 - 200 microW UVB / sq.cm at the basking post and about 100 microW UVB / sq.cm elsewhere.

He's not getting anywhere near sufficient UVB to metabolise dietary calcium and make VitD3 in his skin.
Not only is not getting sufficient UVB , but he is also not getting enough UVA , this is what is likely the cause of his lethargy and lack of interest in food, if it continues he will also start suffering neurological problems which will show as physical symptoms (ie shivers, shakes, poor mobility etc).

I would seriously consider retiring the T8 tube and reflector hood , and upgrading to an Arcadia T5HO 12%UVB SlimLine (tube & reflector hood) kit.

Keep him warmer than 22 degC overnight ,will help boost his metabolic rate.

 

[AHBD]

A few things to check on, did he ever spend time on top of his cave, under the uvb bulb ? It may be that if he did not, it's because the 150 watt bulb made it too hot up there. Then if he spent most of his time in the cave or on the floor he would have not received enough uvb. The t8 may not be giving off enough uvb to get to where he is on the floor. Try taking him out in the sun daily for 30-45 minutes , just set him in the grass [ not on wood or concrete] if it's hot out. Can you do that ? You can also get some soy yogurt or fruit juice [ a tiny bit ] , mix with calcium powder and water and see if he'll take some when dripped on his snout.

The sun + calcium should help him out quite a bit, so those are the first things to try. Best wishes to your little Mushu !

 

[Sassy123]

His T8 bulb is about 4 inches away from his basking spot, and I find him under the UVB bulb and basking bulb very often... I have a thermostat with a probe at his hot spot, it stays at about 103 degrees... I can definitely get him outside for some sun time, but unfortunately its the rainy season here in florida so its very cloudy, but I'll still try it. And I'll try the soy yogurt thing... Will this improve? Or will he always be like this?

 

[AHBD]

Yes, it can definitely improve. The soy yogurt is just to get the calcium + water in him. You need to block off his cave now as well so he doesn't go in while he's sick. The other bulb mentioned by the other poster is also superior and may be a good option since Mushu may not climb up now to bask.

 

[Sassy123]

Ok, I'll definitely work on getting his new bulb and blocking off his cave... hopefully I can get the money soon...

 

[Sassy123]

What should I do about getting him to eat?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is hard to tell but is the T8 directly overhead or mounted on the back wall?
I agree, upgrading his UVB light to a T5 high output tube would be a good idea since he is having
some trouble. Taking him outside daily, if the weather permits, is good also.
I would highly recommend getting some liquid calcium to use for him for awhile because it's more
readily absorbed than powder is.
If you get things remedied soon, he should hopefully make a full recovery.
He is a cute little thing, too.


Tracie

 

[Sassy123]

His t8 is mounted overhead, next to the basking bulb. I was wondering about the liquid calcium... where can I get that?

 

[AHBD]

Some vets have it but Tracie sells it very reasonably priced on her website.

http://www.bugdelite.com

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh thanks. That is good the tube is mounted directly overhead. Then, it may not be strong
enough or he can't get close enough for long enough to receive enough UVB exposure from it.
He definitely isn't bromating, he is too young to bromate right now.
How is he doing today, have you gotten him to eat anything? You can try the chicken or the
turkey baby food along with either sweet potato or squash baby food. Just use a plastic eye
dropper or syringe to drop it onto his nose to see if he will lick any food off.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[Sassy123]

Today I got him to take some liquid calcium and a little bit of water, but still no food. I'm going to try mashing some of his bugs with some baby food to drip on his nose... Yesterday after he sat in the sun for a while (probably around 45-50 minutes), he started running around and acting more awake. Unfortunately its been raining all day today and I haven't been able to take him outside, but will definitely try tomorrow. I ordered the Arcadia 12% T5 tube and a fixture for it yesterday, so hopefully it will come soon

 

[Sassy123]

I tried getting him to eat anything today.... he won't eat at all. He doesn't lick his nose, he won't open his mouth (and he detest me trying to open it, he flips out and tries to run if I try), yesterday I got him to lick some of the liquid calcium, but so far today he won't. I'm going to try to give him more calcium later and food, but so far nothing... he hasn't lost weight yet, but he definitely needs to start eating. The last time he ate anything was about Tuesday, but he'd only eaten a few bugs (like 2 or 3) :shock: